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Author Message Anonymous   Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 03:51 pm:    Of those writing specifications for door hardware for specific projects, how many do the entire task themselves,and how many use AHCs to perform some or all of the function? What portions do you "farm out"? Pros and cons? Do you receive such service, by AHCs, without charge? William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: Wpegues Post Number: 213 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 04:26 pm:    We do the entire task ourselves – however, in this area it is typical that the building security is a separate consultant directly to the Owner who creates AND installs all of the security hardware. We do stairwells and any entry doors though to maintain design control. We farm out nothing. If I have a question, I have a number of manufacturer’s and also local suppliers that I know that can answer any specialty question I might have. Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: Davemetzger Post Number: 50 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 06:13 pm:    I typically write the hardware specification, but sub out the hardware sets to a hardware consultant. We use consultants who are self-employed and charge a fee (ie earn their living) for doing this (ie they are not employed by hardware distributors and so do this work at no charge). If the project is small enough, I will do the hardware sets myself. But I more often use a hardware consultant for the same reason our clients use our services--we can do the job more efficiently and less expensively than they can. David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: David_axt Post Number: 158 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 06:59 pm:    If the job is small, I write the hardware specification and hardware groups. I worked in the hardware industry and have some specialized knowledge of doors and door hardware. If the job is medium or large, I could do it, but usually don't have the time. That's when we hire our local hardware distributors or hardware representatives to write the hardware groups. Keep in mind that they always write the spec around their products. Lately though, our school district clients want us to hire an independent hardware consultants. The school districts, being a public entity, are fearfull of showing bias towards a particular manufacturer. Richard Hird (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 07:59 am:    Most of the firms in our area use consultants. Even though I have written the sets in the past, I recommend a hardware consultant. If I am asked to do it, I write a performance specification. This works great to get the project bid, but you eventulally have to dig through the submittals to make sure it is right. This takes as much time as doing the sets before it goes out, so I recommend it only when a consultant can not be found. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: Bunzick Post Number: 127 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 08:57 am:    I have done it both ways. Usually I will write a description/functionality specification around a few manufacturer's model/series products in conjunction with sets. I avoid using the manufacturers "order code"-type of approach because it is significantly more work and increases the likelihood of my error. Thus, I can specify location of the closer generally without having to look up the code for every individual door. This puts some of the work on the hardware distributor during submittals. I have not done hardware on any project more complicated than a school or office. I have used hardware distributors too. Even the ones that try to be "fair", of course, have a hard time truly being that. They will obviously favor their products, and may put more obscure manufacturers as equals. As mentioned above, distrubutors use more product codes, which makes the job of reviewing their work very hard unless they provide a complete package of catalog cuts, which I have not generally gotten (or asked for). One technique I've used is to ask distrubutors to review the spec and schedule I've created. This has proved to be helpful. There are also fundamental decisions about hardware function and design that are not easily delegated, and require the designer's or specifier's attention and effort regardless of who is preparing the spec and sets. There are very few independent hardware specifiers in this area -- I know of only one. It seems that the number of problems that come up during submittals is about the same either way. Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: Phil_kabza Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 09:24 pm:    We utilize AHCs in the employ of manufacturer rep firms to prepare sets, and I write the section myself, with the AHC reviewing it and the submittals. I have found a couple of reps who are willing to consult on a biddable specification for a very modest fee, and am quite pleased with the result. Few RFIs and no change orders. I've done hospitals, schools, higher ed, and commercial work in this manner.